ABIA NORTH ON A STANDSTILL AS GOV. OTTI'S AIDE UGOANUSI TAKES SUSTAINING THE CHANGED NARRATIVE TO THE ZONE

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ABIA NORTH ON A STANDSTILL AS GOV. OTTI’S AIDE UGOANUSI TAKES ‘SUSTAINING THE CHANGED NARRATIVE’ TO THE ZONE

Hon. Magdalene Egondu Ugoanusi, Senior Special Assistant to the executive governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti OFR, on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, on Thursday, October 29, 2026, took the Sustaining the Changed Narrative initiative to Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, in a renewed push to consolidate the state government’s good governance agenda at the grassroots.

The programme, held at the Bende Local Government Council Secretariat, brought the message of sustaining governance reforms and strengthening grassroots development to stakeholders in Abia North Senatorial Zone.

The initiative builds on the earlier Changing the Narrative at the Local Government Areas for Good Governance programme, which was designed to deepen public awareness, encourage stakeholder engagement and help citizens understand the development direction of Abia State under the leadership of Dr. Alex Otti OFR.

Addressing participants, Ugoanusi explained that the new phase of the initiative was aimed at consolidating the foundation already laid by ensuring that the changed narrative translates into measurable development and lasting improvements in the lives of the people.

She stressed that changing perceptions was only the beginning of meaningful transformation, noting that sustaining the change required continuous engagement, collective responsibility, accountability and practical actions that respond to the needs of local communities.

Ugoanusi identified improved roads, accessible healthcare, functional schools, better sanitation, security, economic opportunities and responsible management of public resources as essential indicators of sustainable grassroots development.

She emphasised that the local government areas must remain at the centre of the development conversation, adding that the concerns of communities must be documented, government commitments tracked, progress monitored and outstanding challenges addressed through practical solutions.

The governor’s aide also called for stronger collaboration among elected officials, party leaders, traditional rulers, community representatives, women, youths and political aspirants, stressing that the collective pursuit of a better Abia State must take precedence over individual political ambitions.

She urged political aspirants to see leadership as a responsibility to serve the people, strengthen institutions and sustain development rather than merely as an opportunity to occupy public office.

Ugoanusi further underscored the importance of ensuring that women and young people are meaningfully involved in governance and community development, while traditional institutions continue to play vital roles in promoting peace, unity and social progress.

On accountability and intergovernmental relations, she highlighted the need for collaboration among the Federal, State and Local Governments. She noted that representatives at the National Assembly could contribute through their constitutional responsibilities in legislation, representation and oversight, including advocating for constituency needs and promoting accountability in the implementation of federal projects and programmes.

She maintained that the success of the initiative would depend on the willingness of stakeholders to work together, take responsibility for their respective roles and ensure that no community is left behind in the pursuit of good governance.

In her concluding remarks, Ugoanusi called on participants to preserve the momentum created by the earlier engagements and remain united in their commitment to responsible leadership and grassroots development. She declared that the objective was to move beyond sustaining a positive narrative to ensuring that the changed narrative becomes a lasting reality in the lives of the people across Abia State.

“The work has started, the foundation has been laid; now, together, we must sustain the change,” she stated.

Also speaking at the event, the Majority Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Okoro Kalu recalled where the present administration led by Dr. Alex Otti OFR took the state from in 2023, he stated that the state has been transformed in every sector, infrastructural, economy and even the welfare of citizens. He added that the people of Abia North have experienced first hand the transformation under this present administration.

He charged the people of Abia North that the only way to sustained the changed narrative in the state is by supporting the present government ahead of the 2027 polls by supporting and voting the Labour Party all the way.

In his remark the the Mayor of Ohafia, Hon. Eleanya Kalu made a reference to the Igbo adage that ” when a road is good, it’s traveled twice” he adduced that the Gov. Otti has bequeathed to Abians a legacy that is worthy of been sustained as the state has moved from reins to enviable heights, hence the people of Abia North must rally round governor by voting for him and all labour Party candidates at the 2027 polls.

The Mayor of Arochukwu LGA, Engr. Dr. Okereke Eze Aru commended the organizer of the program and also applauded the governor, he stated that indeed the narrative has changed in Abia North, he cited several transformative projects within the zone.

He also made case for sustaining the changed narrative by galvanizing support for the governor, Dr. Alex Otti and Labour Party candidates for the 2027 elections.

The Mayor of Ummuneochi, Chief Sunny Afurobi in his address, stated that in less than 4 years, Gov. Otti has at performed previous administration that has governed Abia for the past 24 years. ” Every part of Abia is dotted with one significant project or the other” he stated.

He therefore called on the people of Abia North and Abians in general to sustain the changed narrative been witnessed in Abia by voting massively for Dr. Alex Otti continuity as well as other Labour Party candidates.

The Member Representing, Isuikwuiato State Constituency, Hon. Lucky Johnson in his address said Abians have seen the light, the state have moved from the dark days to light, the state has been transformed tremendously by the governor and as Abians we must sustained the new narrative of the state. He added that the only way to sustained this changed narrative is by voting the Gov. Alex Otti for a second tenure and all other Labour Party candidates.

The member representing Bende North State Constituency, Hon. Nnamdi Ibekwe in his speech adduced that without doubts, the narrative of the state has changed, and the only way to sustained the changed narrative is the continuous support of the governor, Dr. Alex Otti and the Labour candidates in the forthcoming election. He called on the people of Bende and the people of Abia North to vote for the labour party and it’s candidates in the forthcoming elections.

The Abia North Labour Party Senatorial Candidate and immediate past Mayor of Ohafia, Chief Dr. David Ogba Onuoha (Bourdex) stated that Abia North is dotted with landmark infrastructural peojects ranging from roads, hospitals, schools, institutional discipline , he added therefore that the only way to sustained the changed narrative in Abia is to ensure continuity of Dr. Alex Otti and the Labour Party come 2027.

He reminded the people of Abia North that democracy is anchored on equity, and equity is that every elected office holders goes for two terms.

He highlighted that there is a need for change in the senatorial position of the zone, he urged the people of Bende and Abia North to really around him and the Labour Party in the forthcoming election.

In his address, Chief Emeka Charles Kalu (ECK), Abia North Zonal Coordinator, Alex Otti Campaign Council stated that the only way to ensure the sustained narrative is for every eligible voter in Abia North to go and pick their permanent voters card, the voters card he stated is the only means to ensure that the good project in Abia continues, he stated that the sustained narrative must be holistic, hence the team of the governor who are candidates of the party at all level must be voted for in the coming polls to ensure they are reelected alongside the governor to continue the ongoing transformation in the state.

The Father of the Deputy Governor, Elder
Lekwachi Emetu charged the people of Abia North and Abians in general to sustain the changed narrative by voting the continuity of Dr. Alex Otti and Labour Party candidates come 2027. He added that Abia has not had it good in terms of development.

The Executive Secretary, Abia State Diaspora Commission, Amb. Rev. Dr. Annie N. Onu commended the program and advocated that we sustained the changed narrative by ensuring the continuity of the Labour Party led government by Dr. Alex Otti beyond 2027.

Also speaking the SSA to the governor on Environment, Prof Ijeoma Iheukwumere, She emphasized the transformation that has been witnessed in the environmental sector under this present administration, she stated that before the advent of this administration, Abia used to be the dirtiest state in the country but today the story has changed ,Abia is amongst the most clean states in the federation.

She added that the gains from this present administration must be sustained by rallying support for Dr. Alex Otti and other Labour Party candidates.

The Special Assistant to the governor on Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hon. Maltilda Anyamele, stated that Abia is now a state of choice amongst the comity of states in Nigeria, this she attributed to the visible transformation currently been witnessed in the state, she adduced that the only way to ensure that the changed narrative in sustained is my ensuring that Dr. Alex Otti and other Labour Party candidates are overwhelming voted in 2027.

On her part, the Special Assistant to the governor on Technology and Digital Economy, Hon. Elizabeth Chijioke made case for digital governance to sustained the changed narrative, she called on leaders and staff at all levels of government to embrace the use of technology.

In his vote of thanks, the host Mayor, Dcn Uwabukeonye Bassey, Executive Mayor of Bende LGA, he stated that changing the narrative maybe easy but more difficult to sustained.

He therefore called on the people of Bende and Abia North entirely to work assiduously to ensure that the governor and other Labour Party candidates who are working with the governor are massively voted for.

The event was well attended by stakeholders, traditional rulers, women and youths drawn from the five LGAs in Abia North.